Single mom hopes her kids enjoy a Christmas

Catherine would love to be able to provide a Christmas dinner for her two boys and 87-year-old parents who live with her, but she might not be able to.

For Catherine, a single mother, this year's struggle is to hold on to the house.

Before being laid off more than a year ago due to budget cuts, Catherine worked as a teacher for 17 years. After being laid off, she applied for numerous jobs but was told the same thing over and over: You are overqualified.

Now, Catherine is going back to school to retrain for certification as a principal, where the market is hopefully brighter.

Meanwhile, her family is surviving on $700 a month from child support, a sum that barely puts food on the table. Additionally, her house could be auctioned off at any time because she is behind on her taxes, her washing machine is on the fritz, and she is on the verge of losing the family's only car, a 2002 Mercury.

Nevertheless, Catherine's one wish is to provide a Christmas to her kids and elderly parents, one that might make them smile.

"Any assistance you could provide will be very greatly appreciated and contribute to a merry Christmas for our small family," she writes.

Catherine's is one of the many families that will be helped by The Sun Santa Fund this year. Since its founding in 1989, Sun Santa has raised more than $3.5 million for families in need. This year Sun Santa plans to assist to 1,800 families, about 100 more than last year.

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The Polish American Veterans Club, 201 Coburn St., Lowell, will host the fifth annual Mary Kuczek Family Christmas Party on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 for adults, children are free. The party will include food, music, raffles and a visit from Santa.

The Lowell area's former and current state senators also are helping Sun Santa this year. Former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos follows up with his annual Toys for Tots and Sun Santa party, at the Blue Shamrock located at 105 Market St., Lowell, on Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is a toy for Toys for Tots or a check for the Sun Santa Fund. State Sen. Eileen Donoghue hosts a Sun Santa event on Monday, Dec. 17, at La Boniche, 143 Merrimack St., Lowell. No amount is too small.

Lowell General Hospital and its employees will once again support Sun Santa with its annual Christmas basket raffle. Hospital employees create gift baskets that have grown larger and more extravagant each year.

Baskets will on display at both the main and Saints campuses starting Wednesday, Dec. 12.

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